Saudi Arabia to host the Innovation in Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS 2025) in Jeddah from December 8–10 under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, bringing together global leaders to tackle water scarcity.
Launch of the Global Water Innovation Award (GPIW) to fund pioneering solutions and connect innovators with investors to scale real-world applications.
Waterathon 2.0 and the Water Academy to empower Saudi talent through programs with London Business School and global training partners.
Against the backdrop of a worsening global water scarcity crisis—where more than two billion people lack access to safe drinking water and global demand is projected to exceed supply capacity by 40% by 2030—Saudi Arabia is preparing to host one of the world’s foremost conferences on water innovation and sustainability.
The Innovation in Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS 2025), in its third edition, will be held from 8 to 10 December 2025 at the The Ritz‑Carlton, Jeddah, under the esteemed patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al‑Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region. The event is organized by the Saudi Water Authority and will bring together global leaders, decision-makers, innovators and experts to address the most urgent water challenges and accelerate the transition to a more resilient water future.
A key pillar of the conference is the Global Water Innovation Award (GPIW), which aims to fund and recognize ground-breaking solutions re-shaping how water is produced, treated and reused. The Award links science with entrepreneurship and societal impact by supporting innovators and connecting them with investors and implementing institutions to turn ideas into scalable applications. Winners will receive financial and operational support to pilot and scale their technologies within Saudi Arabia and abroad.
The second edition of the “Waterathon” will also be featured as part of the conference. This intensive workshop attracts young talent in technology, engineering and start-ups to develop new ideas and solutions spanning the full water cycle—from production to reuse. Participants gain access to guidance from sector experts through virtual and in-person mentoring, and finalists are connected with investors and commercial partners to accelerate conversion of innovation into deployable projects.
As part of national capacity-building efforts, the Water Academy will launch a series of advanced training programmes in collaboration with the London Business School and 15 international training institutions. These courses aim to empower Saudi and Arab talent in water management, sustainable leadership and institutional innovation, and represent one of the conference’s flagship initiatives to strengthen the sector’s human capital.
The conference will host specialist technical workshops on emerging technologies, regulatory frameworks and policies, financing models and sustainability strategies. It will also feature a scientific research track showcasing academic and operational developments in water resources management. On the sidelines, a major international exhibition will debut several new solutions and products in the region—bringing together major global and local companies such as Siemens, ABB, Saudi Services for Electromechanics (SSEM), Saudi Investment Bank, ACWA Power, KSB, Authority for Local Content and Government Procurement and TORAY Industries, underscoring their commitment to a sustainable water future in the Kingdom.
The conference will welcome a distinguished line-up of global water sector leaders, including:
Vera Iero, Chair of WAREG (Water Regulators Association) in Europe, leading governance of water services across 27 countries.
Dr. Mansour Al‑Hunaie, Chair of the Regulatory Authority for Public Services in Oman, a leading figure in regional utilities regulation and sustainability.
Ben Tarbil, Founder & CEO of Ebb Carbon, a pioneer in marine-based carbon-removal technologies.
Gustavo Saltiel, Senior Water & Sanitation Specialist at the World Bank, a global authority on water-resource policy and management.
Michael Tao, Director-General of the Singapore Water Association, architect of Singapore’s “NEWater” initiative.
Their participation reflects the conference’s multidisciplinary scope—bringing together decision-makers, innovators, academia and the private sector.
Mr. Mahdib Saleh Al‑Mahdib, Chair of the Supervisory Committee of IDWS, stated: “Through the Innovation in Water Sustainability Conference we reaffirm the Kingdom’s leadership in global water-sustainability efforts. The event serves as a platform for the convergence of innovation, technology and international collaboration—to secure sustainable water for future generations. Through initiatives such as the Global Water Innovation Award, we are contributing to a lasting impact that extends beyond the Kingdom.”
In addition, under the conference’s umbrella the Saudi Water Authority will launch the Water Content Creators Award—a national initiative designed to stimulate media creativity and empower content-creators inside and outside the Kingdom to enrich Arabic-language water-sustainability content. The Award seeks to raise public awareness of water’s vital role in sustainable development and encourage creative content that fosters environmental responsibility and supports Saudi Vision 2030. Its tracks include water innovation, Saudi waters through the eyes of its people, social responsibility, awareness & conservation, water security and knowledge content—open to individuals and institutions inside and outside the Kingdom.
Interested participants are invited to register for free by 31 October 2025 via the conference’s official website: www.idwsc.com.
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